An Acquisition Process Area at Maturity Level 3

The purpose of Acquisition Technical Management (ATM) is to evaluate the supplier’s technical solution and to manage selected interfaces of that solution.

The Acquisition Technical Management process area focuses on the following:

·         Conducting technical reviews of the supplier’s technical solution

·         Analyzing the development and implementation of the supplier’s technical solution to confirm technical progress criteria or contractual requirements are satisfied

·         Managing selected interfaces

Typically, these activities interactively support one another to gauge technical progress and allow effective management of project technical risks. Different levels of detailed analysis, depending on the development progress and insight required, may be needed to conduct technical reviews to the acquirer’s satisfaction. Prototypes, simulations, and technology demonstrations created by the supplier may be used as a means of gaining knowledge to manage selected interfaces.

In some acquisitions, the acquirer assumes the role of overall systems engineer, architect, or integrator for the product. In these acquisitions, the Technical Solution process area of CMMI-DEV should be used. Technical Solution in CMMI-DEV includes additional information about designing, developing, and implementing solutions, including the design approaches, design concepts, and alternative solutions for which an acquirer may have varying degrees of responsibility.

Acquisition Technical Management activities involve measuring technical progress and the effectiveness of plans and requirements. Activities include those associated with technical performance measurement and the conduct of technical reviews. A structured review process should demonstrate and confirm completion of required accomplishments and exit criteria as defined in project planning and technical plans (e.g., the Systems Engineering Management Plan). Acquisition Technical Management activities discover deficiencies or anomalies that often result in corrective action.

Acquisition Technical Management should be performed with other technical and agreement management processes, such as requirements management, risk management, configuration management, data management, and agreement management.

Refer to the Acquisition Requirements Development process area for more information about allocating requirements, establishing an operational concept, specifying technical performance measures, and defining interface requirements.

Refer to the Decision Analysis and Resolution process area for more information about establishing evaluation criteria and selecting alternatives based on those criteria.

Refer to the Requirements Management process area for more information about managing requirements.

Refer to the Risk Management process area for more information about managing risks.

Refer to the Configuration Management process area for more information about managing configuration items.

Refer to the Plan Data Management specific practice of the Project Planning process area for more information about managing data.

Refer to the Agreement Management process area for more information about managing the supplier agreement.

Specific Goal and Practice Summary

SG 1 Evaluate Technical Solutions

SP 1.1       Select Technical Solutions for Analysis

SP 1.2       Analyze Selected Technical Solutions

SP 1.3       Conduct Technical Reviews

SG 2 Perform Interface Management

SP 2.1       Select Interfaces to Manage

SP 2.2       Manage Selected Interfaces